Frontenac Arch Biosphere
Located in South Eastern Ontario, the Frontenac Arch is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Find out why it matters.
As dawn breaks over Charleston Lake Provincial Park, the lake and surrounding forest start to come to life: white granite cliffs turn golden under the warmth of the rising sun and the waters reveal their deep shades of blue. Somewhere overhead, the cheery morning trill of a robin breaks the silence, setting off a chorus of morning bird calls.
The park, located north of the St. Lawrence River in South Eastern Ontario, is one of the cornerstones of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere and is a good representation of the biodiversity found throughout this ecologically significant region.
If you’ve never heard of the Frontenac Arch, you’re not alone. Despite being in close proximity to more than 50% of Canada’s population (Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal are all within a five-hour drive), the Frontenac Arch is often overshadowed by the Algonquin region to the north and the Thousand Islands to the south.
To understand the true significance of the Frontenac Arch, we need a quick geology refresh: underlying nearly all of North America is a billion-year-old continental crust. This ancient rock is the eroded remnants of a once-mighty mountain range and is generally hidden deep underground. But in large parts of Canada and small pockets of the northern United States, this granite is exposed and we know it as the Canadian Shield.
What makes the Arch so significant is that it joins the northern parts of the Shield (via Algonquin Provincial Park) to the Adirondack Mountains in New York State. Essentially a ridge of granite that bridges the two sections, the Arch creates a forested corridor for animals, insects, reptiles, and amphibians to migrate between regions.
It provides an ecologically unique habitat as five forest regions (the Great Lakes, Boreal, Carolinian, Atlantic Coast, and Appalachian Forests) all merge here, intermingling as they do nowhere else on Earth.
The Arch is also the last remaining intact forest corridor in eastern North America and, twenty years ago, it was recognized by UNESCO as a significant World Biosphere Reserve.
The unique nature of the Biosphere makes it a significant area for flora and fauna to flourish. The region is on the traditional territories of two Indigenous First Nations, the Anishinaabe and the Haudenosaunee, who have called these parts home for thousands of years. In the Haudenosaunee tradition, the Arch is referred to as the bone or backbone of the mother and you can see why: like a spine, the land is dotted with granite outcrops and, where the Arch crosses the St. Lawrence, the granite forms the Thousand Islands.
The Frontenac Arch Biosphere covers 2,700 square kilometres from Brockville and Gananoque to Harrowsmith, Verona, and Westport.
Overlooking Westport
Overlooking Westport
Photo by Ontario Parks
Photo by Ontario Parks
Charleston Lake Provincial Park. Photo by Ontario Parks
Charleston Lake Provincial Park. Photo by Ontario Parks
Thousand Islands. Photo by Destination Ontario
Thousand Islands. Photo by Destination Ontario
This region cuts through the heart of South Eastern Ontario, encompassing two provincial parks, one national park, and a vast number of conservation areas. It is made up mainly of mixed forests, wetlands, lakes, rivers, and granite outcrops. Small farms and tiny historic communities also dot the landscape. The Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network is a non-profit organization that administers this region and has many good resources if you want to learn more about the history and geology of the area.
Whether you love outdoor adventures or feasting on locally grown food (or both!) this region is a dream to explore. It is best discovered in slow, low-impact ways — canoeing, cross-country skiing, hiking, biking, or visiting one of the small towns within its boundaries for a getaway. Take your time to see this natural oasis in all seasons of the year.
Nowhere is the biodiversity of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere as evident as it is in one of the big parks of the region, where turtles, snakes, porcupines and white tailed deer are among the inhabitants.
Frontenac Provincial Park. Photo by Ontario Parks
Frontenac Provincial Park. Photo by Ontario Parks
In the west is Frontenac Provincial Park, a 5,355-hectare oasis of forests and lakes. This stunning park has 22 lakes and more than 120 kilometres of trails within its boundaries. You can visit in any season as the park is open year-round. Camping is available here, but all sites require you to either hike in or canoe in.
Charleston Lake Provincial Park. Photo by Ontario Parks
Charleston Lake Provincial Park. Photo by Ontario Parks
In the east is Charleston Lake Provincial Park, a family favourite for camping, hiking and canoeing. Open from May to October, this park is a perfect place for beginner campers.
Thousand Islands National Park. Photo by Parks Canada
Thousand Islands National Park. Photo by Parks Canada
In the south, along the St. Lawrence is the Thousand Islands National Park. This park is a paddler's dream: explore sheltered bays by kayak or canoe to secluded granite islands topped with windswept pines. With 21 islands, plus many smaller islets, two mainland properties and a visitors centre in Mallorytown, there’s no shortage of places to explore within the park.
The Frontenac Arch Biosphere Region, which includes the Thousand Islands, is located in South Eastern Ontario in close proximity to Kingston and Cornwall.
